The Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa on Mission Bay will celebrate its golden anniversary by putting five decades of its history on display with a gala Friday, July 20.

The Hilton bayside resort’s origins can be traced back to the early 1960s, when real estate developer and former New York Yankees’ co-owner Del Webb decided to build The OceanHouse in east Mission Bay at a time when Mission Bay Park was barely developed.

The late, former San Diego Mayor Charles Dail christened The OceanHouse when he broke a bottle of champagne over the bow of a ship-modeled cocktail lounge known as the “Jolly Roger Room.” Webb’s intent was to design an inn that resembled an English ship moored in Tahiti.

In 1964, Dail was no longer the mayor and the property was sold to the Hilton Hotel chain. Hilton renamed the The OceanHouse the San Diego Hilton Inn and, by 1965, the Hilton Inn began to take on its current look when the eight-story, 127-room high-rise was constructed. Two years later, hotel could be seen in movie theaters across the country when, in 1967, sections of its lobby, the Jolly Roger Room and some suites were used as locations from scenes in the Jerry Lewis comedy “The Big Mouth.”

The resort changed its name to the San Diego Hilton in 1975, then to San Diego Hilton Beach and Tennis Resort in 1984 and finally to its current name in 2000. It underwent renovations in 1995, 2007 and a redesign to the conference center this year.

To coincide with the July 20 gala, the scenic bayside resort at 1775 East Mission Bay Drive is offering a special 50th anniversary package that provides a $50 resort credit in exchange for a two-night stay and an additional $25 resort credit per night for each night thereafter.

Coffee will also be sold at 1962 prices at least once each month and significant discounts will be made available at the spa between Mondays and Thursdays.

The resort also features a special 50th anniversary menu with meals at a cost of $50 per person.

For more information on deals, discounts, room specials and other Hilton San Diego information, call (619) 276-4010, or visit www.hilton.com.

Hilton San Diego fetes 50 years at Mission Bay
The Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa on Mission Bay will celebrate its golden anniversary by putting five decades of its history on display with a gala Friday, July 20. The Hilton bayside resort’s o...